Players primed for pre-season start

21 June 2010 09:55am

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""Everyone I have spoken to is looking forward to a fresh approach, which I plan to bring, and to a season in the Championship and bouncing straight back up." - Richard Hill

Head Coach Richard Hill believes his squad of players are excited about the challenge ahead and have come to terms with the trauma of relegation as pre-season kicks off ahead of the Championship campaign.

Hill will meet his whole squad for the first time today (Monday) as they Warriors are put through their paces ahead of the big season launch on home soil against local rivals Birmingham & Solihull on the weekend of August 28.

New Sixways chief Hill has been impressed with the mood inside the camp with many players reporting back for training earlier than expected.

"After what can be the trauma and disappointment of being relegated, my impression of the players that I have seen is that they have come to terms with that," said Hill.

"They have got on top of that and are now excited about playing again for Worcester - that is the impression I get.

"They are genuinely excited, they don't start until today (Monday) but a lot have been in training already.

"If you are still traumatised by the actions of last year and you are not looking forward to the season, well the last thing you are going to do is come in earlier than you have to for pre-season.

"But the number of players that have been in and went past my door last week and to the gym has been impressive - that is a good sign.

"Everyone I have spoken to is looking forward to a fresh approach, which I plan to bring, and to a season in the Championship and bouncing straight back up.

He added: "A professional attitude is crucial to me. We need to have 33 players all of which have got the right attitude.

"I would rather have to pull somebody off the training pitch because they are doing too much or take somebody out of the weights room because they are doing too much, rather than beating them with a stick to do skills and extras.

"The players that we have signed are all of that mentality. It will be a case of me saying 'you have done enough'. That is the sort of attitude and leadership I want."